U.S. vs. Japan [R]

utah_heretic · 02-11-2006, 07:48 PM

I'm always aghast that people call that bad news...sure, Eddie is the rock in our back line, but hey, it's the world cup. A player can't receive a greater honor than to play for their national team in the world cup. Why can't we simply take pride in the fact that these guys are living the dream and play for RSL. I'll be thrilled if Eddie gets to go to another WC, even more thrilled if we do well. Think about what having a player playing at that fitness level and in that kind of form, and against that competition will do for the team when they return. I know, we'll be short a few players for the more or less through June and God willing July. But several teams are likely to be down players. FC Dallas is likely to be down EJ, assuming he can get back in form. Certainly Twellman and Dempsey have been looking very good lately, what does that do to the Revs?

I know, we all want Real to do well this year, but it just feels sour to me when people say they hope Pope and Klein don't make the squad. It's like hoping your friend doesn't win the lottery so that he won't move away.

SoccerPrime · 02-11-2006, 09:20 PM

Playing out of position is incredibly tough and Klein is not known for his great defensive talent. Its like putting Kreis on defense. But I thought Chris did much better (as did the rest of the USMNT) once the first 10 mins was done.
What can you say about Pope. That man is awesome, he really seems to be getting his step back. I haven't seen him be this good since WC 02 and when he was with DCU.

Great game except for the last 15-20 mins. Makes me wonder though, is any MLS team going to snatch up a Japanese player any time soon? They were much better than the Norwegians were, for sure.

prk166 · 02-12-2006, 09:44 AM

It is nice to see Eddie picking up some good form right now. HIs timing is perfect for him making it to one last World Cup.

bordelais7 · 02-12-2006, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by utah_heretic

I'm always aghast that people call that bad news...sure, Eddie is the rock in our back line, but hey, it's the world cup. A player can't receive a greater honor than to play for their national team in the world cup. Why can't we simply take pride in the fact that these guys are living the dream and play for RSL. I'll be thrilled if Eddie gets to go to another WC, even more thrilled if we do well. Think about what having a player playing at that fitness level and in that kind of form, and against that competition will do for the team when they return. I know, we'll be short a few players for the more or less through June and God willing July. But several teams are likely to be down players. FC Dallas is likely to be down EJ, assuming he can get back in form. Certainly Twellman and Dempsey have been looking very good lately, what does that do to the Revs?

I know, we all want Real to do well this year, but it just feels sour to me when people say they hope Pope and Klein don't make the squad. It's like hoping your friend doesn't win the lottery so that he won't move away.

I don't disagree with any of that; simply that after Klein's performance, it's my opinion that he pretty much lost his chance of going, and if there's a silver lining it's that RSL will certainly be better with him here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoccerPrime

Playing out of position is incredibly tough and Klein is not known for his great defensive talent. Its like putting Kreis on defense. But I thought Chris did much better (as did the rest of the USMNT) once the first 10 mins was done.

Really? I kept wanting him to do well, but I thought he looked pretty bad for the whole game. He had one really nice cross in the 2nd half, but that was about it. I felt sorry for him because it was obvious that he wasn't ready for this, and that Bruce was just experimenting, but he had serious issues as a defender (at this level anyway), and it was obvious that he was out of his element as far as crossing from the defender position as opposed to midfielder. He was indecisive and suffered the consequences, having several passes blocked or lost. I can't imagine the pressure he must have had, knowing that this was basically a test that Bruce was giving him, and his performance could mean the difference between going to Germany or staying at home. I saw several things that I liked -- he looks strong, he's good at getting open, making runs -- it's obvious that he's a right midfielder, and that he's good at it.

Aerick · 02-13-2006, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by utah_heretic

I'm always aghast that people call that bad news...sure, Eddie is the rock in our back line, but hey, it's the world cup. A player can't receive a greater honor than to play for their national team in the world cup. Why can't we simply take pride in the fact that these guys are living the dream and play for RSL. I'll be thrilled if Eddie gets to go to another WC, even more thrilled if we do well. Think about what having a player playing at that fitness level and in that kind of form, and against that competition will do for the team when they return. I know, we'll be short a few players for the more or less through June and God willing July. But several teams are likely to be down players. FC Dallas is likely to be down EJ, assuming he can get back in form. Certainly Twellman and Dempsey have been looking very good lately, what does that do to the Revs?

I know, we all want Real to do well this year, but it just feels sour to me when people say they hope Pope and Klein don't make the squad. It's like hoping your friend doesn't win the lottery so that he won't move away.

To me, it's good news either way.

They're going to the WC? AWESOME!!
They're staying with Real all season? AWESOME!!

Burninator · 02-13-2006, 11:57 AM

Did anyone else notice how bad the pitch was? Everyone was falling down. It looked to me like Klein just couldn't find his footing to move the ball the way he wanted to. Congrats to Eddie on his back to back goals, however. Just awesome. Also, the attendance was 38K in SBC park. Why couldn't the Earthquakes ever get attendance like that?

:rei: --Geoff

SoccerPrime · 02-13-2006, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burninator

Did anyone else notice how bad the pitch was? Everyone was falling down. It looked to me like Klein just couldn't find his footing to move the ball the way he wanted to. Congrats to Eddie on his back to back goals, however. Just awesome. Also, the attendance was 38K in SBC park. Why couldn't the Earthquakes ever get attendance like that?

:rei: --Geoff

The pitch was bad because they pulled a RES, they just laid down grass earlier plus its worse, its also a baseball stadium!

As for the reason the Quakes not getting 38k, there are several. One is, it was in SanFran not San Jose. Also, remember SLC got 40k+ for their WCQ but got around 18k for their home matches. Quakes did much better last year with an average around 14k.
Final reason: US vs. Japan in the Bay, nuff said.

beaveman · 02-13-2006, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burninator

Did anyone else notice how bad the pitch was? Everyone was falling down. It looked to me like Klein just couldn't find his footing to move the ball the way he wanted to.

I noticed that too. I wonder if there was some kind of temporary turf to cover the dirt (it is a baseball field normally, right?)

If they can play a tune up game on a pitch like that, why won't they go with the artificial turf of RES? Of course, the weather here isn't the best right now and their matches in the spring are in Germany.

SoccerPrime · 02-13-2006, 01:51 PM

With all of that said, I still think the atmosphere, crowd and the match itself was nice to watch.

I think a MLS playing at the SBC could make it.

fuegote · 02-13-2006, 02:15 PM

SBC is where Utah played their football bowl game. It's a grass field. I don't know how they pulled a RES on an already grass field.